Llais Llafur

Lnmb"A-M" NPBS. A competitive eisteddfod in aid of the Library will be held at Gibea on Satur- day evening. Entries are exceptionally numerous and a keen competition is an- ticipated. Offers of help towards rebuild- ing have come from the Glanamman Dramatic Society, who are now perform- ing "Owrn Llwyd." The salvage on the site of the hall is now the property of the committee, and will be disposed of immediately, the Assurance Company having laid no claim to it. During the week a collection of nine volumes of modern fiction have been add- ed to the library, the gift of Mr. David Thomas (Herbert-row). Books have also been received from Mr. Dd. Morris (Pen- ygraig), and from Mr. Thomas (Gwaun- caegurwen), per Mr Richard Howells, M.E. Acknowledgment of a donation of 10 guineas has been received by the Gibea Eisteddfod Committee from Sir W. J. Thomas, Ynyshir, on behalf of the Welsh Hospital at Netley. This is the third donation sent from Gibea. Private R. J. Davies. A.S.C., returned to Watford on Tuesday. Monday evening a host of friends gathered together at the Upper Schools to bid him au revoir and a most. happy evening was spent. PUBLIC HALL AND LIBRARY SUBSCRIPTIONS. We reg ret "that "a rjofffcfitf'irtToi. of L 5 from Mr. Wm. Thomas, architect, Lower Brynamman, was inadvertently omitted from our last list though included in the total. Sums of 10s. and over received at the committee rooms up to January Iltli. Already acknowledged £ 174 17 0 E l i 4 170 Mr Di. Watkin Williams, Croffte 5 5 0 E. M. Morris (chemist) 5 5 0 Gomer Harris (bootmaker) 5 5 0 Wm Watkin Williams Croffte 5 0 0 Jas. Davies, C'gatrw Bridge 5 0 0 J. D. Howells 2 2 0 W. WiUiams, RJiiwddu 2 0 0' Morgan Ingram, Bailwen 1 10 0 £ 1/1/0 Subscribers. Messrs. W. Morgan (Coelfryn), Thos. Howells (grocer), Thos. Benyon (grocer), D. Morgan (Bristol House), W. Herbert. (draper), J. Howells (builder). £ 1/0,0 Subscribers. Messrs. J. P. Jones (Seymour House),. Thos. Griffiths (Mountain-road), Brinley H. Williams (Banwen). W. Wilkins, D. Fitz. Williams, Wm. Morgan (Old-Co. 's- row), Tom Davies (.Station-rd), Owen Jen- kina (Bryn-rd), Tom Morgan (builder), W. J. Williams, C.C., Dd. Thomas (Tan- ymynydd), Rees Williams (ganger), Thos.. Williams Rhiwddu), M. Harris (Brighton House), Enoch Isaac Bryugarw), D. D. Bowen (overman), J. Price (Blaencwm- garw) D. Davies ("Pantyffynon"), Luther Griffiths (ChapaJ-3treet), Johnny Watkina- (Tycornelj, J. L. Pritchard (Cloth Hall), D. Llew. Jones (Glyn-road), Mansel J. Evans (Glyn-road), J. Evans Williams (Glyn road), Oliver Roberts (Park-street), Evan Thomas (Gorsto). 10/- Subscribers. Messrs. W. D. Williams (tailor), Thos. M. John (Cwmgarw-road), John W. Jones (Cwmgarw-road), D. Lewis Beynon (Cwmgarw-road), Mrs. Margaret Thomas- (Cwmgarw-road), D. Lewis (Cwmgarw- bridge), John Davies, 10/6. Small sums £3j13jO.-Total to Jan. 11 £ 245/13/6^ —————- -———

Welsh Hannei and Wool Stores LONGTON HOUSF, Herbert St., Pontardawe. STOCKINGS RE-FOOTED ON THE SHORTEST NOTICE. lOd. PER PAIR. POST FREE. Send for paHerna and price lists for al5 kmds of Wool and Flannel. Note Addreas- J. W. MORGAN, Pontardawe & Seven Sisters

»lg»g.^TOimMrn. Kiumw-iiminrin Tr~yr.nicrw.TMy—van Mimtr ,i-L^jnMMmam»Min«»wi?»CTiii-.aT. Teleph-vr.'e Docks 35. ?? ? ? ?? ?F!! ?% ??c. W. WILLIAMS & CO. t r. ii!' I1t S f7[ ;J I Jewellers, &c. 29, CASTLE STREET, SWANSEA. .+.+. Specialities: Engagement Rings. 22 Carat Gold Wedding Rings. 18 Cam, t Gold Keepers. English Lever Watches. Good Foreign Watches. English and Foreign Clocks. English and Continental Novelties m Gold, Sliver and Electro Plate, suitable for Christening. Birtliday and Wedding Presents. Spectacles and Eye-glpsses for all Sights. .+.+.o. It will pay you to come to us to buy for three reasons-Largest Variety, Best Quality, and Lewest Price. FOREIGN MONEY EXCHANGE. 1F. Welcl uCl The Up-to-date ][' LONDON TAILOR Who serves you personally and Cuts All Garments Himself Specrnlis in 5 MOURNING ORDERS. jjj I 222. High Street SWANSEA lIt :=-" == c: "=':c"- =)

Til E WON T FIGHT GANG. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Cliffotd Allen, the chairman of the Won't Fight Gang,, explains that he has a conscientious objection to joining even a non-combatant branch of the army, a.s, by eo doing, he would become a part of the military machine. This trifling and hair- splitting during one of the greatest crises oi history is nauseating. Mr. Allen is willy-nilly a part of the mili- tary machine. He is a. British sub- ject, and the mere fact that he is resident in and working in this covin- try makes him a part of t he machine. Not many months ago he was as- sociated in a managerial c apacity with a pro-war newspaper, the "Daily Citizen," and was helping to improve the military machine. Where was his conscience then r' He has paid taxes, direct and indirect, to finance the military machine. What .sort c.f a .conscience is it that permits Mr Allen to pov other men for doing a. thing he regards as a crime ? The man who pays for the rif!e and the amunition is a nartner with the man who use6 them to kill Germans. When Mr. Clifford Allen takes his breakfast does it occur to him that he eats by virtue of the vigilance of the British Navy, a military machine ? Does he not some- times reflect that his very liberty to take under British laws a course which the vast. majority of his fellow- countrymen consider prejudicial to the interests of the realm is due to the fact that millions of young men of th working classes have made of them- selves a living rampart to hold back ffllr foes? A passage in a letter, which appears in another cohimn, fror. a sympathiser with the Won't Fight I Gang. is typical of the mixture of muddle-healedi-eis and priggishness which is their salient trait. "It re- quires far greater courage," he says, "to stand by the few to receive sneers such aa yours than always to fight on the popular side." Hundreds of young men in the Swansea Valley have offered their lives in defence of their country because they believe that British liberty is worth preserving. The young man whose "conscience" will not allow him to fight stays at home and does nothing. lvhich is the nobler and more courageous part? We have no hesitation in saying that the man who shoulders arms in a just cause is worthier from a moral, social, and Christian point of view, than a person who shirks his share of a com- mon duty. Non-resistance is neither 4manly nor Christian, and it certainly is not Socialist. Every Socialist society in Europe except the I.L.P. -states emphatically that it is the duty of every man to defend his coun- try. The members of the Won't Fight Gang are not Socialists, but in- dividualists of the most odious and ex- treme type, and for the sake of the future of Socialism we hope that the general public will recognise that.

FIGURES AND FACTS. Those who think that the figures of I the voting at the national Labour con- ference Jat weeok indicate reliably the I amount <^f opposition among the work- ing-classes to the Bill for compelling single men to do their share in defend- ing the country, will go sadly astray in their conclusions. There were present at the conference represent.atives of the Trade Union Congress, the General Federation of Trade Unions, and the Labour Party. The membership of aU th ese organisations overlaps. Thus a local Labour Party would represent sections of trade unions whose members oounted in the vote of their trade unions. Thin method of voting renders the figures valueless as an acourate in- -dex of feeling, and is further vitiated bv the fact that the majority of looal Labour Party delegates are members 0 of the I.L.P., persons who have many merits, but also an odd faculty for con- vincing themselves that the views of the people are what they would like them to be. We are positive that a referendum of the workers alleged to be represented at that conference would have produced a vastly different result. As we write, a conference of the miners is proceeding in London. and we have no doubt there will be a thumping vote against- the Bill. The Lancashire a.nd Cheshire miners have voted as follows:- Against 31,220 For 22,792 Majority* 8,434 There are SEVENTEEN THOUSAND members of this Federation with the co lours, more than enough to wipe out the majority, assuming as we are en- titled to do, that the bulk of them would vote for the compulsion of single men. There is another aspect of the figures question. Sir John Simon quoted a set of figures to prove that Lord Der- by's figures were worthless. Mr Herbert Samuel thereupon torpedoed Sir John Simon's figures. This week the "New Statesman," a very abfo Socialist journal which has at its service the most expert statisticians in the coun- try, whittles the number of eligible single men down to 50,000. The "Nation" is responsible for another essay as an arithmetical acrobat. If the "New Statesman" estimate of 50,000 is taken as accurate, most people will refuse to regard it as a "negligible number" in the words. of Mr Asquith's pledge. We do not think that any figures will now make a difference to the attitude of the general public. The letter from "Check- .} d weig her" in our correspond ence columns reflects the way the man-in- the-street sizes the position up. He looks around him and sees youn? Torn Smith and young Bill Jones, both ap- parently capable {}f military service, still in civilian clothes, and he sees John Harries, who his three children, and Jim Walters, who has fire, wear- ing khaki armlets. On that simple juxta-position he makes up his mind that the singLe men ought to he fetched. Crude and unscientific, per- haps, but it is the method of popular instinct, and on that matter we are wholeheartedly with popular instinct.

"PATRIOTIC" SHIPOWNERS The country needs every ounce of coal that the miners can produce, yet the pits in various parts of Wales have been oonst-antlyv thrown idle for the lack of ships. There are plenty of ships that could be used to carry coal, but it is more profitable for the ship- i owners to use their vessels abroad, j Profits come befor patriotism with the shipowners. Now a departmental j committee has issued a recommenda- tion that an expert inquiry should be held into the possibility of compelling ships to trade between home and foreign ports in the interests of the coal industry. Why an expert in- j quiry? If the Government needed a; farmer's horse, they would take it without an expert inquiry. Why dis- j tinguish between shipowners and poorer men ? It should be a source of everlasting disgrace to the shipowners that a suggestion of Government com- pulsion should be necessary. The war has simply shovelled money into their pockets, but the more they get the more they want. The working man has forgotten his grievances, his poor' home, his low wages, and his miserable prospects, and fought the enem- with desperate courage. The aristocracy, the men of blue-blood the dudes with the eye-glass who were the butts of everybody's jests, have fought and died" like heroes. But the ca.pitalist has refused to surrender any privilege, end has used every device an avaric- ious magination could contrive to ex- tort blackmail from the nation in her hour of need. The shipowners are by no mean? the blackest sheep in the capitalist, flock.'

N RED OF SAFEGUARDS. in our review last week of the case for and against the Military Service. No. 2 Bill we said that the Govern- I ment ought not to rush matters, and particularly that they should give guarantees relating to industrial com- pulsion. This statement was amply justified by the ape?hes at the Lab- our Conference, which is described in another column by one of our London, contributors. There is a deep-rooted suspicion in the minds of the majority of Labour officiate that compulsory military- service would be used as an instrument of industrial oppression., Such suspicions are due to reluctance to recognise a disagreeable necessity such as the compulsion of single men, to M. Briand's ruthless use of military power to crush a railway strike a few years ago, and, most of all, to the capitalist tyranny to which working- men in England have been so long sub- jected. In the conference he had with the Labour M.P.'s on Wednesday, Mr j Asquith showed a readiness to. recog- i nise the deep-rooted nature of these objection, and we hope every facility will be given in the committee stage of the Bill for amendments that will j make the measure absolutely indepen- dent of the whims and caprices of the employers. It is pointed out, for in- stance that if a starred man "cheeks" a foreman, he may be dismissed, and if a bachelor, he ipso facto is forced into the army. That there are em- ployers who would use such accidental power to punish recalcitrant workmen, and, in particular, to, scoi-e off trouble- some trade unionists we have not the 9lighest doubt. The Government should remove every possible source of suspicion. Dread of what Trav happen not objection to the principle or the actual measure itself, caused the majority of delegates at the national conference of the three Labour bodies to voto against the Bill. ——.

SHIRKING PUBLIC DIS- CUSSION. I Without expressing any opinion on; the subject of discussion at the special meeting of the Ystradgynlais District Council on Saturday last, we have no hesitation in saving that the rat&; payers of the district will condemn and resent the arbitrary and undemocratic action of the majority of the Council in deciding to carry on the proceed- ings behind closed doors. i As will be seen' in another column, j the meeting was called to discuss a communication from the L. G. Board in reference to the recent audit of ac- counts, but, as readers in the Ystrad- gynlais area are well aware, this inno- cent description covers matters that have been the subject of iferce discus- sion and drastic comment amongst ratepayers, as well as in these oolumns. And it passes comprehension how the six councillors, who voted for the secret discussion of a public matter, could have imagined that they were serving the interests of the community by deliberately withholding from the public, information which the public has a right to receive. It is childish to pretend to ignore the fact that serious allegations have been made against the Clerk to the Council, and the public demand, and are entitled to know whether they are altogether true, or in what degree they are true, or otherwise. And, in the opinion of all unbiassed men, the Council have done the Clerk the greatest dis-service by their fatuous policy of suppression. We trust the Council will see the wisdom of re-opening the whole matter, in the interest of their Clerk as well as in acknowledgment of the fact that they are responsible to the ratepayers.

i .OUT AND ABOUT. I By the Rambler. I i A few days ago, I occupied a lift which was being worked by a young Belgian, ¡ he had evidently not been well initiated into tne v?gane?. ijf the Lngiish language, for when he handed the little receptacle bearing the "Compliments of the Season" message to me, he said "Please put iiothirig in do box I Who will deny that the Welsh people are giited with a strong commercial acu- men The other day 1 had a letter from It a Cymric soldier serving in France who, describing the great shortage of commodi- ties in the district where he is billeted, said So scarce are things that this week I have sold Goldflake cigarettes at a peiuiy each. At home they can be pur- chased at 10 for fourpence." In the current issue of "The Bookman" illr. Edwin Pugh, th3 famous novelist, who himself has associations with the Principality, reviews Mr. Caradoc Evans' tiotI ,)l -ious book "My People," in it h';e'I course of w hic h he declares that it is emphatically a book that will not be read by the Welsh peasantry themselves. If this is meant to suggest that the folks of Wales are too stupid or too ignorant to read such a volume, then Mr. Pugh is suffering from a mighty delusion. As a matter of fact the standard of knowledge among the Welsh peasantry is infinitely greater tli,n That among the in- habitants of many an industrial centre. Proof of this car. be found in the re- markable sales of cheap editions of standard works, and such volumes as those in the "Home University Library" and the People's Books. I know an Anthracite miner w ho reads volumes like "Human Nature in Politics," by Graham Wallas, and a friend tells me about a farm labourer who reads and assimilates "The Hibbert Journal." Some of the men and women in the rural districts have a Biblical knowledge that would not shame a theological professor. Readers will regret to leairn of the con- tinued indisposition of Mr. John Wil- liams, M.P., the respected member for Gowrer. He has been distinctly unwell for several weeks, and finds it very difficuit to discharge all his duties as he would like. By the way Mr. Williams is ex- ceedingly popular among his colleagues on the Executive Council of the South Wales Miners' Federation, in the work of which he takes such a keen and un- remitting interest. I trust that he will soon be restored to perfect health. A well-known solicitor was telling me the other day of a remarkable coinci- dence in which he figured some time ago. He had briefed a Welsh barrister (who now holds ;-in important public appoint- ment) to defend a prisoner charged with burglary a.t a West Wales farm. When the barrister opened his brief, he found that the burglary had taken place at the farm where he himself was born There are great educational potentiali- ties in the cinema. A picture I saw re- cently centred around a tragedy connect- ed with the use of liquid air, and in the course of the picture a cleair explanation was given of the discovery of this new property by a Dublin professor, together with the uses to which it can be put. The audience thus gained a piece of scientific knowledge that it probably would never have heard of by any other means.

W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist, oan be consulted daily at the Victoria I Arcade (near the Market), Swansea J.T.OWEN SPECIAL THIS WEEK. GREAT SALE NOW ON. The Cash Draper, YSTALYFERA.

mALY-FCKA MOTES. The Eisteddfod held recently at St. David's Church Hall, proved quite a suc- cess, in spite of tlw very adverse weather conditions. The full list of awards is as follows :— Chief Choral, Hendy Choir, Pontardu- his; champion solo, Lewis Ihomas, Ys- tradgynlais; soprano solo, Miss Esther Aim Joshua, Godre'rgraig; tenor solo, Mr Lewis Thomas, Ystradgynlais; baritone solo, Mr. Ben Jones, Felindre; contralto solo, Miss Bossie Clee, Ystalyfera; boy's -ol o, -? 1 solo, divided between. Philip liavies, of Godre'rgraig, and Dennis Rowlands, Pontardawe; girl's solo, Miss Annie M. Morgan, Clydach; pianoforte solo, Tre-- velyan Rees, Ystradgynlais; yiolin solo, Levy Hopkin, Ystalyfera. The chair was won by Mr. D. R. Griffiths (Ammanwy), Ammanford. Open recitation, Miss Miri- am Evans, Garnant; essay, Mr. William Evans, Ystalyfera; children's recitation, divided between Miss Elizabeth Ann Evans, Godre'rgraig, and Victor Moms, Llansamlet; englyn, "Tarrenydd," God- re'rgraig; drawing, Mr. Dan P. Jones, Gurnos; cartoon, Mr. Leonard Monro*, Penarth; doyly, Miss Annie Thomas, Landore. Great things are expected in the Sal- vation Army Corps at Ystalyfera during the coming year, as the commanding offi- cers, Ensign Piggott and Capt. Pearce, are endeavouring to get some of the most prominent officers of the Salvation Army to visit the place. On Sunday, Jan. 23, Brigadier and Mrs. Rogers, the recently appointed commanders of the Swansea division, will pay a visit and will con- duct special meetings during the week- end, of which due notice will be given. Their visit will be eagerly looked forward to, as this is the first time they have appeared at Ystalyfera. and the officers and soldiers are looking forward to a good time. Nothing pleases the boys at the Front so much as news of home. Send them the "Llais" every week. A Boy's Scout movement has been started in connection with the Salvation Army at Ystalyfera, and Bro. Thomas has been appointed scout-leader. All boys of eleven years of age and over who are anxious to join should attend at the Army Hall, Darren-road, on Thursday evenings, at 6.30, when full instructions will be given them by Scout-Leader Thomas. The commanding officers are wishing this movement every success. Commenting on the boxing tourna- ment held at the Swansea Empire on Saturday, the "Post" says that prior to the chief contest there was a very good mill between Bat McCarthy, an experien- ced boxer from Cogan, and Alf. Langdon, a very promising youngster from Ystaly- fera. It was arranged to go fifteen rounds and the men went the wh?le distance. It was quite a spirited affair. McCarthy is a man with a good style, clever with his feet, with the capacitv to use his head that experience develops, and with a very lively punch—when he can get it in Langdon, slighter, but taller, snd with a longer reach, was a very powerful opponent. The exchanges in the opening round were all in his favour, and al- j though the Coganite played his part with a good deal of dexterity, the Swansea Valley man fought him with a vigour that called forth no end of enthusiasm. However, Colonel James and Captain German, with whom the judgment to be ) passed upon the players rested, disagreed and the match was given as a draw. Perhaps, under the circumstances, that was a reasonable conclusion, but there were quite a number in the hall who were prepared to say that when next. McCarthy and Langdon meet it will be a case of odds-on the latter. Mr. Oliver Evans, of Car-regpentwyn Farm, met with a serious accident about a fortnight ago. When jumping from a hay loft he fell on a hay knife which he j was carrying, and sustained several broken ribs, and has been confined to bed ever since. We trust Mr. Evans will have a speedy recovery. The district tribunal under the Derby scheme has not yet met. Surely there is some delay here seeing that the groups have been called for January 20th. The tribunal has no power to exempt appel- lants from service, only to put their names back to the extent of ten groups, The appeal must then be forwarded to the advisory committee. and the military authority acting in conjunction with this committee will consider each case. Col. i Pearson has been appointed military ad- vi&er for the Pontardawe Council area. I The total number of successes won by "Tarrenydd," the well-known local poet, at the Chistmas eisteddfodau have not yet '| been published locally. We have just re- ceived information that out of nine com- petitors at the Mydroilyn Eisteddfod (Cardiganshire) "Tarrenydd" was success- ful in capturing the chief prize for a, poem entitled "Cartref a ddrylliwyd gan e lyn." We heartily congratulate our popular local bard. A very successful lecture was held at Zoar Cha-pel, on Tuesday evening under the auspices of the Young People's Socie- ty. The lecturer was Professor M. B. Owen, of Carmarthen, who handled his subject "Ein enwad a'i arweinwyr o 1800- 1850," with much skill. There was a good attendance, and the Rev. Wm. Jones oc- oupied the chair. At the close of the lec- ture a vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. Fredk. Rpes, and this was seconded by Mr. Daniel Evans. Doubtless the fact that there were three meetings of the same kind in the place on Tuesday evening accounted for the small number who attended at Jerusalem Vestry to hear the Rev. T. Eynon Davies of London, lecture before the Ddraig Goch Societv. Those who were present enjoyed a fine treat. The subject was ''The three lords of life," which proved to be self-reverence, self-knowledge, and self-control. Mr. Ben Jones, M.A., occu- pied the chair, and at the close of the lecture a vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by the Rev. R. G. James and seconded by Councillor Ben Wil- liams, of Cwmtwrch. The members and friends of the Chris- tia.n Endeavour Society in connection with the English Congregational Church have been busily engaged making com- forts for the young men connected with this church who have left to join the Army. As a result of their efforts twelve scarves, deven pairs of mittens, and nine helmets have been completed, the greater number of which have been forwarded to the boys. Nothing pleases the boys at the front so much as .news of home. Send them the "Llais" every week. An old nati ve of Ystalyfera passed away on Saturday, in the per-on of Mr. Llewelyn Williams, Gough-road, at the age of 67. For years he had lived at Dowlais, but had returned to the old home, and worked for a long time at Gwauncaegurwen Colliery. The funeral took place on Wednesday at Holy Trini- ty Churchyard, the Rev. J. Secundus Jones officiating. The deceased, whose wife wa.s buried about nine months ago, leaves two daughters and a son. A very successful concert was held at Gurnos Chapel on Thursday of last week before a large and appreciative audience. A novel feature of the concert was the opening by the party. Misses Davies and Solomon, and Messrs. Daniels and Tan- ner, singing "God Save the King," ar- ranged by Elga.r. Miss Davies sang 'II Baccio" and a new song by Professor T G. Samuel, in a very effective manner. Miss Solomon's items were vary well rendered and highly appreciated. Mr. Tanner, the Swansea tenor, rendered "Sound an Alarm" in fine, spirited manner, while i Mr. Richard Daniel, the popular local ■ baritone, gave a remarkably artistic ren- dering of It is Enough. Mr. Daniels has been described by a well-known ad- | judiCator as a typical "Elijah," by his rendering of this well-known song. Miss M. J. Francis (Llaethfe-rch), was accord- ed a wairm reception for her splendid ef- forts. Aldlle Jeanne Von Op-Dorp sang i "La Brabancone" in French in a very sweet manner, and the audience showed their appreciation by standing and ap- plauding warmly. She also sang a new French song "A Toi, je pense tonjours," by Prof. Samuel. The concert terminated by the party singing "Goodnight Be- loved," and Miss Davies singing "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." The concert was or- ganised by Professor Samuel, who also acted as accompanist throughout. Our readers will remember that about three weeks ago the son of Mr. and Mrs John Thomas, of Wern-road, fell into the canal near the aqueduct, and was in danger of drowning when rescued by Mir. Wm. Richards, of Hodgson's-terrace. i Mr. J. T. Rees, insurance superintendent, acting on behalf of the parents imme- diately moved in the matter, and sent a full statement of the facts to the Royal i Humane Society, and we are glad to state that the society have been pleased Ito grant a certificate to Mr. Richairds. To show their appreciation of his gallant act the parents are havng a photograph of their little son mounted with the certifi- cate. which will then be framed an d pre- sented to Mr. Richards. The parchment is granted by the Royal Humane Society "to Mr. H. Richards, for having on the 9th October, 1915, gone to the rescue of a youth who was in imminent danger of drowning in the canal at Ystalyfera, and whose life he gallantlv saved." We are sure Mr. Richards will prize the oertifi- oa.te very highly. At a meeting of the Pantteg Young People's Society on Tuesday evening, an able lecture was delivered by the pastor, the Rev. Ben Davies. The subject ••Lien Gwerin" was one in which Mr. Davies is exceptionally well versed, a.nd was con- sequently extremely interesting to the large number who were present. The death occurred on Wednesday, after a comparatively short illness, of Mrs. Jones, the wife of Mr. Evan John Jones, of Cilmaengwvn Woods. Much sympathy is felt with the bereaved hus- band who is left with six little children, the youngest being only 18 months. A meeting was held on Thursday even- ing at Godrer'graig Chapel, to welcome two local soldiers who are home on fur- lough, Private Rees Emlyn Jones, who was wounded at the Dardanelles, and Private Owen Geo. Davies, who has been in France since the war commenced, and is home on a well earned leave. A tea and social evening was held at Wern Chapel on Thursday evening. The members entered heartily into the pro- ceedi" and the meeting was a thorough success. After tea, a musical programme was rendered under the able direction of Mr. W. D. Clee, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Another local soldier home this week on furlough is Private Tom Henry Bowen of Gough-road, who has been in the firing line in Flanders for a considerable time. We wish him a pleasant holiday, which we are sure is well earned. Pte. Bowen is attached to the 6th Welsh. Mr. Gething 1. Davies, son of Mr. John Davies, greengrocer, of Wern-road, is about to enter college to train for the Baptist ministry. As is usual in the denomination, Mr. Davies has ha.d to prepare three trial sermons to be preached in three different churches in the neigh- bourhood, and these have been deliveed at Caersalem, Zoar, and Beulah, Cwm- twrch, during last week. As a result of these trial addresses, Mr. Davies has been pronounced worthy of further train- ing, and is taking up residence at Gwyn- frvn Academy forthwith. We wish him all success. On Monday and Thursday evenings next, Jan. 17th and 20th, two perform- ances of the popular Welsh drama "Change" will be given at the Colis-I eum, by Mr Gwernydd Morgan's Com- pany. Mr Morgan has had consider- j able dramatic experience, and this un- doubtably will be reflected on the Company. A treat is in store for local patrons of the drama.

t LOCAL MUSICAL SUCCESS. I At the recent examination of the As- sociated Board of the Royal Academy of Music a.nd the Royal College of Music, held at Swansea, the following distinguished themselves in pianoforte playing. Primarv Division:—Miss M. Jackett, Woodman's terr., Ystalyfera; Ma8ters Daniel Theodore Jones, Tonycastlell, Colbren; and Percy Morgan, Maesy- gwernen, Abercrave. Lower Division:—Mr Tom D. Jones, Wern, Cwmgiedd. At the Trinity College Examination in Theory, the following passed with honours:—Preparatory: Miss Nellie Davies, Abercrave, who gained 99 marks out of 100; and Mr David T. Thomas, Penygurnos. Junior Division: Messrs. Walter Ware, Crane Foundry, Ystradgynlais, who gained 93 marks out of 100, and Tom D. Jones, Wern Farm, Cwmgiedd. All the above are pupils of Mr Dd. R. Jones, F.T.S.C., Gurnos, Ystaly- fera.

The Alltwen and Pontardawe i ? Cooperative Society. ♦> *4* 1_ ■■ ♦' t Have you joined the Army of t Go-operators Yet ? ? It /Vo? Why /Vo?f ? t  —-===? —==  X Our Society is linked up with o.her Societies ? ? throughout the Country, who trade upon the same principle.. The Movement is by no means a puny aff air. ? It A?? over three m?M<?? m?m&?r? ? —??- ▼ v y ? Its Sales amount to £ 130,035,894 per annum. ? Its Share Capital is £ 55,000,000. v h | 1S^ -JOIN TO-DAY ❖ .+.+.+.+.+.

I RHIWFAWR. Nos Nadolig cafwyd vn Ysgol y Cyngh- or, cafwyd cyngerdd tfyddorol gan blant yr ysgol. Treuliwyd noson lawen yn nghwmni y plant, a daeth tyrfa fawr yn nghyd. Danghosodd y plant ol llafur caled, a disgyblaeth ardderchog, ac ad- lewyrchodd y cyngerdd yn ddisglaeir iawn ar Mr. D. J. Price, yr ysgolfeistr, yn nghyd a Miss Chappel a Miss Stephens, ei gyd-athrawesau. Erys cof am y cyn- gerdd yma yn hir gan bawb oedd yn bre- senol, a theimla y dyrfa mor foddhaol ar y perfformiad, fel y cymhellwyd Mr. Price i roi ail-berfformiad. Wedi cymell taer, cydsyniiodd, a threfnwyd yr ali gyngerdd ar gyfeT. nos Sa-dwn diweddaf. Daeth tyrfa fawr ynghvd eto, ac yn ol tystiolaeth lliaws yr oedd y perfformiad nos Sadwrn yn fwy llwyddiajius na nos I Nadolig. Rhenir yr ehv tua"at m achosion teilwng sydd yn dal cysylltiad a'r milwyr. Diolchwyd yn gynes iawn i Mr. Price .a.i gyd-athrawesau yn gyhoedd- us. ac wedi'r cyngerdd orphen, manteis- iodd lliaws ar y cyfle i gyflwyno eu diolchgarw ch J ,1 bersonol iddynt. ————— .————

WOUNDED SOLDIER IN TEARS. I A soldier named James Eccles Whyte, J' who has been at the front for eleven months and twice wounded, pleaded guil- ty to bigamy at the Old Bailey on Tues- day. He was a corporal in the Royal Scota Fusiliers, but his time expired in N ovember. The Recorder I don't want to hear any more about this case. You may go. You will be sentenced to one day's im- prisonment, which means that you will be discharged. So affected was the prisoner by the leniency of his punishment that he burst into tears and in broken tones thanked the judge.

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE YSTALYFERA AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF TRADE. TWO GRAND PATRIOTIC CONCERTS WEDNESDAY JAN. 26, at the PREMIER CINEMA. THURSDAY, JAN. 27, at PLAYHOUSE, YSTALYFERA. The following Artistes will take part: Miss MARY DAVIES (Soprano), Bryn- amman). Miss ANNIE Walters (Contralto), Cwmllynfell. Mr GWILYM JONES (Baritone), Ys- gynlais. Mr TOM GRIFFITHS (Comedian), (Llanelly). Mr T. GUNSTONE JONES, Pontar- dawe. Miss M. J. FRANCIS (Llaethferch), London, Elocutionists. Mr JOHN LEWIS (Harpist), Clydach. Together with GWEN AND LUTHER PENILLION SINGERS. Accompanist: Mr T. G. SAMUEL, L.L.C.M., G. and L.T.S.C, R.A.M, CHAIRMEN—Wednesday: D. W. DAVIES, Esq., C.C. Thursday: H. J. POWELL, Esq., J.P. Doors open at 6.45, commence at 7.30 Admission: Reserved Seats, 3s; Front Seats, 2s.; Second Seats, Is. Proceeds for the purpose of foinning a fund, so as to make a presentation to each Soldier or Sailor returning from active service. San Carlos Opera House, in Lisbon, where most of the world's renowned operatic artists have appeared, is to be let by the Portugese Government. W. A. WILLIAMS, Phrenologist, can be consulted daily at the Victoria Arcade (near the Market), Swansea